My project 71 Dart Swinger...

[carcrazyguy]

Thanks for all the nice comments.     Hopefully when I go up in July I will be able to drive it for the first time since owning it!!      It has taken much longer to get to this point than I ever thought it would.  But when I opened my email this morning and saw these pics that my brother sent....   I was really, REALLY excited to see that it is finally coming together.     I had been worried that I made the wrong choice to elimate the vinyl top and the side mouldings.  But after seeing the pics....I like it just like it is!!!    Now I just need to decide on painting the tail stripe on, or use the factory style tape design.    What do you all think?? Paint it on or use the tape style stripe??   

[IMNCARN82]

Put the decal on first...if you like it you can always paint it on. Nice Dart!

[Jacksboys]

Put the decal on first...if you like it you can always paint it on. Nice Dart!

Looks great 

[mackschallenger]

very cool!!!!!!!

[carcrazyguy]

Looks great 

THANKS 

After looking over this project.  It has me wondering....... .... Would it be an in-justice to redo my 73 Cuda in the same fashion as I have done the Dart?   What I mean is, would it be a bad thing to fix my Cuda up as a driver quality car instead of waiting a few years and doing it 1st class??   The Dart is not something I would even consider taking to a big Mopar show but it is most certainly presentable for most local/regional cruises and non-formal car shows.  So would it be a bad thing to redo my Cuda the same way?? 

[Jacksboys]

It is your choice, but you have to look at it this way:

How often will you drive it?
How much do you want to spend?
Do you want to worry about someone scratching the paint when ever you park it?

Unless you plan on trying to win at a car show, I would make sure it is solid and has a good paint job, but keep it simple, so you do not worry about it as much.  Your choice.

[whitesatinmopar]

  We restore the best our budget will allow, we don't skimp but we certainly don't go "top shelf" either because of $$$. But we do drive them, that's why we bought our cars, to enjoy. But to each their own choice. There certainly is nothing wrong with a concourse resto, we all love to see them. But they are very costly and are not something you'd want to drive even occasionally. Just depends what you want to do with YOUR cars. BTW, the Dart is awsome. 

[The Cuda Guy]

WOW!  That Dart looks great!  As far as the Cuda goes build it how you want it, but make sure you do it the way you want or you will second guess forever.

Cuda Guy

[IMNCARN82]

Cars are meant to be DRIVEN.    I'd clean it up and

[carcrazyguy]

Cars are meant to be DRIVEN.    I'd clean it up and

That is what the Dart is for!     I had planned to have the Cuda built by a Mopar shop in the future when money was not so tight.   However my wife has made a valid point.  It is likely that when money is not so tight I would rather spend that kind of money on a 70 or 71 model.   So that had me thinking maybe either do the Cuda like my Dart....more of a driver quality rebuild.   And then when the money situation is better buy a nicer 70 or 71.  I just don't want to get the car on the road and see I took a short-cut and should not have.      Anyway time will tell...   I have also considered selling all my cars EXCEPT the orange 71 Satellite.  Take all the money from those cars and put say 8-10k with it and buy a car that is done (or at least a nice car needing only minor improvements).      I hate this hobby sometimes....in high school (early 90's) I hated it because I could not afford a nice car.  Now 16 years later...I make 4-5 times the money and STILL can not afford the car I want.       

[bb71challenger]

I am glad to hear that you like to drive your cars. Personally I would do what you are pondering, Make sure to get the foundation squared away and make a nice driver, then enjoy it. I would not hesitate to drive that Dart to any show, anywhere, it is NICE! My car will not be a beauty queen but it will be a solid driver and thats all I need. If I were to drive it to the Nats or something and a guy knocked it for not having the undercarriage done I would just laugh. The one thing you never want to do is give a flyin freak what someone else thinks. Did they buy it, bust knuckles on it? spill beer on it? put their hard earned money into it? No? then they dont get the right to an opinion 

[carcrazyguy]

Thanks to my brother I a couple of update pics!!  Dad has been knocking out a few things here and there. He has installed the marker lights, door handles, side mirror, the 1/4 extensions, both bumpers, and the lower splash pans. 

Still left to finish....
door lock cylinders installed
headlight assemblies installed
grill installed
chrome trim around windows put on
door panels put on
new seat covers (already have)
carpet (already have)
wheels centers (need to buy)
trim rings (already have)
 and a few other little things 

[carcrazyguy]

And it also needs exhaust tips in a really bad way.  Exhuast was done without the splash pan or bumper on so it was left uncut until I get the correct factory style bright tips. 

[carcrazyguy]

Another small step.....

[71bigblock]

Nice, my favorite Dart grille. 

I love it!